Job Description

Ref Number

B02-08970

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,374 51,860

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

Yes

Closing Date

20-Jul-2025

About us

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The Department of Neuromuscular Diseases is a hub for clinical and research excellence across the spectrum of spinal cord and neuromuscular diseases. Our group of world-leading clinical, genetic and basic science researchers focus their work on understanding the causes and biological mechanisms leading to Neuromuscular Disease and translating this knowledge into developing novel therapeutic solutions that is of direct benefit to neurological disorders such as motor neurone disease, Alzheimer's disease and neuromuscular disease.



The Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre (QS MND), based in the Department, has recently been established from a world class track-record of research in basic and translational neuroscience in motor neuron disease. 15 Principal Investigators, including health professionals, clinicians and scientists involved in clinical care as well as basic and translational research from molecular mechanisms to clinical trials, make MND a vibrant and extremely competitive area of research at UCL.

About the role

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We are recruiting a Research Fellow to support ongoing work on the immune response to neurodegeneration and on the identification of neoepitopes/neoantigens targeted by clonally expanded immune cells in ALS.



You will be involved in the development of research for the project "Investigating glial-immune crosstalk in modulating sporadic ALS survival in post-mortem and longitudinal samples". You will help with the development of proteomic techniques that simultaneously study brain tissue and biological fluids and with the analysis and integration of omic data to identify novel biomarkers for ALS.



You will also optimise and test novel techniques to identify those neoantigens that are key to the immune response in ALS. A central aspect of the research will also be the phenotypic characterization and sorting of senescent immune cells, along with immunocomplexes in biological samples from people living with ALS. Since the aim is to develop treatments that enhance t regulatory cells effects in mitigating neuronal cells degeneration, you will be expected to work on TCR and antibody characterisation to be used for T cell engineering projects.



The post is available from 01 August 2025 and is funded by Target ALS Foundation and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation for one year in the first instance.



If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).



Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Professor Andrea Malaspina (a.malaspina@ucl.ac.uk).



A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below.

About you

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You'll have a PhD in neuroscience, biology, or a related area, coupled with experience in MS proteomics techniques, tissue/fluids preparation, and with biochemistry and molecular biology techniques for antigen and antibody detection. A good understanding of bioinformatic and biostatistical approaches to data analysis and of TCR and antibody characterisation to be used for T cell engineering projects is essential for this role, as is experience in phenotypic characterisation of blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry, Mass cytometry (CyTOF), and cell-sorting.



This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

What we offer

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Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary 38,607 - 41,255 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.



As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Immigration loan On-site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.



We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.



This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.



As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.



We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.